BARS, pubs, restaurants and clubs in York which serve alcohol after midnight could be charged a late night drinking levy, under controversial plans to be unveiled today.

The levy will bring in up to £286,000 a year if given the go-ahead after council consultation. It will pay for policing to tackle alcohol-related crime and antisocial behaviour and for associated costs such as street cleaning and noise patrols.

Licensees have reacted angrily, saying the plans place unfair blame on them and add a further financial burden on struggling businesses.

If the levy is approved, 263 York businesses that have licenses beyond midnight will be charged based on their business rates, with annual payments ranging from £299 to £4,440. “Distinctly rural” premises may be exempt.

Coun Dafydd Williams, cabinet member for crime and safer communities, said: “We are obviously very aware of levels of antisocial behaviour in the city centre related to alcohol. We think there’s an opportunity to tackle the problem in a dedicated way. We are not the first place to do this – Islington have gone for it.

“The licensed trade would say ‘we are only part of the problem – people drink at home and come out’. I think that’s a fair challenge, but the reason they are coming in to town is to drink in these establishments.

“We want a vibrant night time economy but that comes with problems and they should pay for associated costs.”

Seventy per cent of the levy will go towards policing and the rest will be used by the council to pay costs such as street cleaning and noise patrols, Coun Williams said.

He said he anticipated some premises would change their licence to close before midnight to avoid the levy. The plans have been heavily criticised by business owners.

Anita Adams, former president of the Licensed Victuallers Association and owner of the Golden Fleece and The Maltings, said the plans contradicted licensing reforms to avoid a set closing time and the council’s plans for a more “continental” approach.

She said: “People are not getting drunk on pub prices, they are getting drunk on supermarket prices. We really need a bit more intelligence into stopping the problems happening late at night instead of taking the easy option of blaming certain sections of the business community.

“There are too many knee-jerk reactions when we should be getting to the root of the problem.”

Coun James Alexander, leader of City of York Council, said: “We recognise there are issues of antisocial behaviour in the city centre in those hours. We want to make sure there are adequate resources to deal with issues created by people to frequent these bars and drink large amounts.”

Insp Mark Henderson, of the York city and east area, said it was important businesses would see the difference the levy made if plans went ahead. He said: “If the money the businesses are required to pay is ploughed back into the policing of the night time economy I think its a good idea.”

Steve Bradley, landlord of the Fulford Arms and Rook & Gaskill, said: “I have never had the police at either of my pubs. I don’t see why small businesses that are not the cause of any problem should finance those that do.”

Marc Alllinson, owner and landlord of The Artful Dodger, said: “Most councils in the country have looked at this and scrapped it. I think it’s a ludicrous idea.”

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